Why De-escalation With Iran’s Regime is a Myth

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Written by
Shahriar Kia

As the current Gaza conflict continues to inflict pain and suffering in Gaza and beyond, most world leaders are primarily focused on achieving what they term “de-escalation.” Simultaneously, the Iranian regime’s diplomatic channels are also advocating for a ceasefire, employing a mix of threats and persuasive language to achieve what apparently the rest of the world is longing for.

However, it’s essential to question the motives behind the Iranian regime’s diplomatic efforts and passionate rhetoric, considering that it has played a significant role in igniting the conflict as the initial instigator.

In reality, it is the Iranian regime, led by Supreme Leader Khamenei, that stands to gain the most from perpetual conflict in the Middle East. Khamenei is in constant fear of the eruption of domestic uprisings. To prevent an imminent revolution, he views the specter of war and ongoing conflicts as the most effective means of quashing such movements. However, instead of acknowledging the primary domestic challenge he faces, Khamenei outwardly presents himself as a defender against an external enemy.

On October 9, 2019, in a meeting with commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Khamenei said, “The strategic failures of the United States in the region have not been the result of Turkey or Russia’s policies, but rather it is Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” that have pushed them to failure without Iran being harmed in the process. The logic behind these successes is rooted in the ‘Strategic Doctrine of the Islamic Republic,’ where its defensive policy is not limited to the defense of its own territory but also involves the creation and expansion of a ‘non-denominational resistance identity’ in the region.”

In a comprehensive article titled “The Strategic Depth of the Islamic Republic of Iran with a View to a 20-year Perspective” and published on September 7, 2008, on Khamenei’s website, the regime’s Supreme Leader explains to the Persian-speaking audience how it wants to use foreign militias to safeguard his own reign.

 

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The article reads, “One of the ways to enhance strategic depth in foreign affairs is by supporting like-minded popular groups aligned with the Islamic Republic of Iran. These groups oppose major powers, particularly those in conflict with the Islamic Revolution of Iran. These groups have emerged in the most sensitive regions capable of challenging the entities of opposing powers.”

The state of constant conflict in the Middle East has provided the clerical regime with a narrative to assert that security is the paramount element of its formidable power. Despite Tehran’s involvement in fomenting turmoil in neighboring countries, the regime’s leaders point to the region’s instability and use it to emphasize that, despite enduring socioeconomic grievances and political oppression, Iran is an “island of stability in a turbulent region.”

In an article titled “Iran is the most secure country in the region,” Mashreq News, an outlet that is run by the IRGC Intelligence Organization wrote on November 14, 2015, “According to the statements of both domestic and foreign political analysts, Iran has been recognized as one of the most stable and secure countries in the tumultuous Middle East region. However, what are the elements and foundations of our country’s security that have earned it the reputation of being a relatively tranquil oasis in the midst of a burning hell?”

Therefore, the regime in Tehran, characterized by its support for terrorism, not only survives but also thrives in a perpetual state of conflict and terror beyond its borders. Therefore, any de-escalation is just a reprieve from a return to the perpetual state of conflict that the regime deems necessary to maintain its hold on power. Occasional skirmishes involving Tehran-backed terrorist groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories targeting Israel, the civil war in Yemen, and the atrocities in Syria that sustained Bashar al-Assad’s regime all serve a singular purpose: they are tools for Khamenei’s survival.

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As the world grapples with ending the bloodshed in Gaza, it is crucial to recognize that without addressing the root of the conflict, lasting peace will remain elusive in this region. The perilous coexistence with the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism has led to a stalemate, where millions endure suffering, while others live in constant fear of becoming the next victims.

Much like a tumor in a body ravaged by cancer, this terror-driven extremism will persistently spread its destructive influence wherever it finds vulnerability. This malignant force will not relent through conventional means; it demands prompt and definitive “surgery” which means regime change by the Iranian people and their organized Resistance movement.

 

Why De-escalation With Iran’s Regime is a Myth    

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